A MAN has been arrested after a number of bogus caller incidents were reported to police in South Gloucestershire.

A 36-year-old man from Swindon was arrested on Tuesday, March 11 and later released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Officers launched an investigation after several householders said a man posing as a police officer had called at their homes warning them to keep cash and jewellery safe.

In three cases the householders turned the caller away, but an 87-year-old woman in Badminton let a man in and later found cash was missing.

The reported incidents were in Badminton and Lower North Wraxall, Wiltshire, on Saturday, February 22 and in Yate and Oldbury-on-Severn on Tuesday, March 4.

In each case the caller was wearing a fluorescent yellow jacket with the word ‘police’ on it over ordinary clothes. He claimed there had been burglaries in the area and asked the householders to check that cash and jewellery was safe.

Neighbourhood Sergeant Steve Ives said: “Despite this arrest I would ask people to remain on their guard to any unexpected callers.

“The people who turned these men away did exactly the right thing. A genuine police officer will always show you their identification and give you time to check it carefully.

“Door-to-door enquiries are carried out by police officers and PCSOs in full uniform, and we won’t ask to see where you keep your valuables. If you have any unexpected callers, always put the chain on and if you’re not sure, don’t open the door and call us immediately on 999.”

Anyone with any information about any of the incidents is asked to call police on 101 and speak to South Gloucestershire CID, quoting reference number 22635/14.